Officials Spotlight: Young Gun Umpires

Young Gun Umpires is a group created for and by young umpires to help promote, unify, develop and train young umpires. Meet founders Nicholas, Jacob, Nobu and Sean.

Nicholas Swaha

 WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Hallstead, Pennsylvania

  WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START OFFICIATING?

Started umpiring Little League baseball and softball in my home town at the age of 11.

  WHICH SPORTS DO YOU OFFICIATE?

Umpire high school and college baseball also line judge college men’s and women’s volleyball.

   HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

Being assigned my first college game at the age of 20.

   FAVORITE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORM?

UMPLIFE U-Bag

 HAVE ANY TRICKS OF THE TRADE?

Be willing to adapt to the times. Rules, mechanics, philosophies and much more change constantly at all levels of officiating and if you're not willing to learn, change and adapt you are doing a disservice not just to yourself but also to the game.

   WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT OFFICIATING?

The fact that it has given me friends and family that I never imagined I would have.

Jacob Heath

 WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

River Ridge, Louisiana

  WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START OFFICIATING?

I started officiating sports in River Ridge at Little Farms Playground at the age of 12.

  WHICH SPORTS DO YOU OFFICIATE?

I officiate baseball, basketball and football.

   HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

Getting hired into college baseball at 21.

   FAVORITE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORM?

My West Vest Gold Chest Protector.

 HAVE ANY TRICKS OF THE TRADE?

Be an aggressive listener, don't be a “yeah but” guy, be a great partner and always work to be humble.

   WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT OFFICIATING?

The camaraderie. The lifelong friends that I have made. It's the best part-time job in the world and I love it wholeheartedly.

Nobu Goto

 WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

New York, NY

  WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START OFFICIATING?

Started refereeing in local soccer leagues at age 18

  WHICH SPORTS DO YOU OFFICIATE?

Baseball as well as Soccer and Football in the past

   HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

Attending the Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy

   FAVORITE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORM?

Plate-Pro Shirt Stays!

 HAVE ANY TRICKS OF THE TRADE?

Be the type of person you’d want to work with on the field.

   WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT OFFICIATING?

Getting to see new places and making new friends along the way.

Sean Gerritse

 WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Rochester, New York

  WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START OFFICIATING?

I started umpiring in 2012 in Rochester, NY doing Little League.

  WHICH SPORTS DO YOU OFFICIATE?

Currently, I do not officiate any other sports other than baseball. I used to officiate hockey.

   HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

Getting my first college baseball assignment after only umpiring high school for one year.

   FAVORITE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORM?

My favorite piece of equipment is my West Vest Gold chest protector.

 HAVE ANY TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Always hustle and make sure that you listen to what others have to say as you can always continue learning no matter what level you are officiating.

   WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT OFFICIATING?

It keeps me in the sports that I grew up playing. Also the friends that I have made along my journey.

Follow Young Gun Umpires on Facebook to keep up with their content.